plaidside

I just finished an article on how I removed and installed my cluster.
I had to change the internals of my tachometer.
I had Frankie the Fink look it over and he said it was great and will help folks out a lot.
I added some of his insights and suggestions.

I have it in a PDF file with loads of pictures with text.
Can someone attach it to a post so it would be available to anyone that wants a copy?
Thanks,
Joe

JAMES69

Joe,

I would love to get a copy. I need to fix my speedometer on my 1960. I've done C-2 clusters, not C-1. Your article would be most helpful,

thanks in advance,
Jim

plaidside

Jim,
I could email you a copy or just wait until someone can attach it to a post.
Joe

DZVette

Joe,
If you send it to "d-zuberer@tamu.edu" I can try to post it up here. Depending on the size of the file, it might have to broken into sub-sections. Forum limits PDFs to 1.91Mb.

Dave Z

plaidside

Dave, it is on its way to you.
Thanks,
Joe

DZVette

Joe's "How to" file is attached.

Thanks for putting this together Joe!

Dave Z

jtranger

Thanks Joe! Which wire on the ammeter gets the fuse the black or red?

Frankie the Fink

Its THIS wire -- regardless of the color but I believe it is black. All the major electrical circuits are electronically "downstream" from this point; hence a fuse where the BLACK ARROW is protects the majority of the critical circuits.

jtranger

Thanks Frank.
Did you guys go with the regular instrument bulb replacement or did you upgrade them with brighter bulbs?

plaidside

I replaced all my bulbs with #57 Philips brand. I cleaned all my lenses with 3M plastic cleaner.
The other night I had to use my dash lights and the difference was amazing.
Joe

Frankie the Fink

Heck I don't know what I used for the bulbs but I believe it was the original versions...they are quite adequate for me though....very bright when turned all the way up.

oldvette343

My speedometer is way off on my 59 and I plan to send it to Corvette Central to their Service/Repairs to be rebuilt. I just wanted to send Joe a big thank you for such a good job with instructions on how to remove it. Corvette Central wants between $120 and $170to rebuild and calibrate. If anyone know of a better place, would appreciate knowing. Thanks again.

vettefred

Thanks Joe, I appreciate you taking the time to do this as it really helps alot.

Fred

steampunk c1

Oldvette before you remove your cluster check your speedo drive gear is correct. look for a tread speedmeter drive calculater and enter diff ratio and tyre size and that will tell you correct drive and driven gear for speedo.

oldvette343

Excellent warning Steampunk. However, I have tried several different plastic drive gears with teeth ranging from 18 to 24, but still get mph way under what it should be. Also I'm seeing the plastic gear get eaten up pretty bad after only a few miles. I've lubed the speedometer cable and it seems free when I spin it with my fingers. Two months ago I had Cajun John completely rebuild my trans (for a different problem) and the internal speedometer steel drive gear looked fine. Maybe at speed I'm getting some resistance from my speedometer.......just don't know whats happening.
Lefty

Frankie the Fink

When the speedometer drive head goes it can manifest itself in a variety of symptoms. You should absolutely have the tach checked and re-calibrated at the same time. Then maybe you will never have to remove the cluster again in your lifetime. Even with the instruction sheet now available from Plaidside its not a fun job !

oldvette343

Right you are Frankie. Not looking forward to removing the cluster after it took several minutes for my back to straighten out after crawling under the dash to scoping out the work envolved in the removal. The tach seems to be working just fine and looks to be totally separate and run off a cable to the generator......but your are right would not hurt to have it looked at also. Not sure if I send in the whole cluster assembly (incl the tach) when I get the speedometer rebuilt/calibrated. I need to contact the rebuild company. Lefty

Frankie the Fink

The tach is totally separate...but like the speedometer it is a cable driven device whose internal parts whip around thousands of times every time you drive. Well worth the piece of mind to have it looked over. I think it was $75 for a "health check" when I had my speedometer done two years back. That company is defunct now though. Folks here have had success with Corvette Specialties of Maryland for gauge repair and they are also a forum sponsor.

plaidside

Thanks for the kind words. I have learned a lot on this forum and I am glad I can contribute.
There are a few different steel drive gears according to a PDF article I have. If you have the larger drive gear it could eat up your plastic driven gear.
If you want a copy just PM me.
Joe

oldvette343

Joe, I just sent you a PM.
Thanks, Lefty